Letter: Police retirement

Chief Superintendent David O'Connor makes a valid point (Letters, 1 November).

It is indeed true that not all necessary police functions are fulfilled by the front-line aspect of the service. However, many of the important back-office functions could be filled by older and longer serving officers who currently have the right to retire on full pension after 30 years of employment.

Retirement could therefore be achieved as early as 48, with an expectancy of more than 40 years of pension payments. Many of the back-office roles could be filled by retaining these officers to the same retirement age as the rest of the population.

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Such a measure would not only dispense with the need for many civilian staff but also free up fitter staff for the front line and save on an ever-increasing pensions burden to be borne by the taxpayer. It would also keep a core of expertise and experience which will otherwise be lost.

They would be indeed ideal for providing the "logistical, specialist and adequate support" desired by Mr O'Connor. The fact that these young retirees are fit to work is hard to deny since many go on to other employment immediately on "retirement" from the police. There are many ways to skin a cat.

David K Allan

Mainshill

Haddington, East Lothian

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